Maureen O'Leary, Office of News and Public Information, The National Academies
202-334-2138, Email: Maureen O'Leary

May 15, 2008 – Washington, DC –In a new collaboration, the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences is licensing several components of its global warming and infectious diseases exhibits to the Science Centre Singapore. The partnership marks an expansion of the Koshland Science Museum's efforts to bring its work to international audiences by teaming up with other museums and science centers around the world.

“We are very excited to join forces with the Science Centre Singapore in this way,” said Patrice Legro, the museum’s director. “Making the complexities and nuances of science accessible to the public is our mission -- in the United States and around the world. Our hands-on, interactive exhibits are an excellent way of bringing science to life for any audience.”

“When it comes to hosting exhibitions on global issues such as climate change, it is very instructive to understand and adapt the kind of messages that are being sent out to the public in various places around the world,” said Chew Tuan Chiong, chief executive of the Science Centre Singapore. “The collaboration with Koshland allows us to include in our overall exhibition components that effectively tell a specific part of the story.”

The Science Centre Singapore opens its new exhibit on climate change on May 16. It will feature the Koshland Science Museum exhibit's videos and interactive components on the effects of greenhouse gases, abrupt climate change, a visualization of how temperatures have changed over the 20th century, and climate change projections for the future. The Singapore facility also is highlighting portions of the museum's exhibit on infectious diseases. All of these components are available for viewing online.

Other possible collaborations between the Koshland Science Museum and the Science Centre Singapore are being explored for the future, such as joint public programs that take place over the Internet.

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The Marian Koshland Science Museum explores the complexities of science and brings current scientific issues to life for the general public through interactive, dynamic exhibits based on reports by the National Academies. Located on 6th and E streets, N.W., the museum is easily accessible by metro at the Gallery Place/Chinatown and Judiciary Square stops. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Tuesdays. For more information, visit the website.

The Science Centre Singapore is a nonformal educational institution dedicated to the promotion of science and technology among students and members of the public. As a leading science centre in the region, the Science Centre Singapore has 12 exhibition galleries with more than 1,000 exhibits, and another 18,000 square meters of outdoor space showcasing the Waterworks, Ecogarden, and the Kinetic Garden exhibits. The Centre also houses the Omni-Theatre — Singapore's dome-shaped, five-story theatre with a capacity of 276 seats. The Science Centre receives more than 900,000 visitors annually. For more information, please visit www.science.edu.sg.